The entire nation will once again be in a celebratory mood today marking the first anniversary of the Royal Wedding.
His Majesty the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Her Majesty the Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck were tied in a hugely popular Royal Matrimony on 13th October 2011that was also covered in the international press.
There are various celebrations planned across the nation organized mainly by ordinary citizens like cultural shows, art competitions, archery matches, school programs, offering prayers in Lhakhangs, song and dance, picnics etc to name a few.
The Prime Minister Lyonchhen Jigmi Y Thinley said that he along with the Speaker of the National Assembly Jigme Tshultim, National Council Chairperson Namgay Penjore and the Opposition Leader Tshering will be visiting Lingkana to offer their wishes to the Royal Couple.
“Tomorrow is the day; we were looking forward too, the day commemorated by the Bhutan a year ago. We will go to the palace and offer prayers to His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen,” said Lyonchhen.
“On the second say, on 14 October, I will be playing golf conducted by golf club which is also to commemorate the Royal Couple’s anniversary,” said Lyonchhen.
As the Prime Minister wishes the Royal Couple and swings his golf sticks in celebration, ordinary people will also be celebrating in their own unique ways.
Even for Schools in remote areas, students could be found busy practicing cultural shows for the day as well as decorating their school compounds for the celebrations.
Ugyen Namgay, a teacher from Yangneer Community Primary School under Trashigang Dzongkhag says the school will start the celebrations by hoisting flags and offering khaddar to the Royal Couple’s portrait.
He said there would art competitions as well as singing and dancing from the students.
Celebrations will also be held in other schools throughout the country.
Reports from several Gewogs and Dzongkhags show that today will be a day of merriment and celebration for the first anniversary of the Royal Wedding with archery matches, picnics, visits to Lhakhangs and also entertainment venues. The Yangneer Gewog’s Gup Karma said that people in the gewog are lighting butter lamps for the Royal Couple’s longevity and prosperous life.
VAST will be organizing a photo exhibition tomorrow on photos from the Royal Wedding which will be inaugurated by Her Royal Highness Sonam Dechen Wangchuck.
Coinciding with the Wedding anniversary Paro Dzong will get a special gift from the Royal Couple in the form of a new Serto for the Paro Dzong.
The capital, however, will be the hub of activity as there are numerous shows at various places in the capital such as art competitions, road shows, fashion shows and other celebrations that are being conducted to commemorate the Royal Couple’s first anniversary.
Citizens in other Dzongkhags will also be glued to their TV sets as the BBS will be carrying live entertainment from a show being organized at Thimphu’s clock tower.
This show was in the planning since eight months to be dedicated to the Royal Couple. The show is a joint project of Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBS) and Mila Communications.
The Project Coordinator of BBS is Phuntsho Wangdi who usually hosts open shows for the viewers but never a live show. The show will have a combination of old as well as new songs that have not yet been released in the market. There will also be patriotic songs dedicated to the Royal Couple.
Meanwhile there were many people from across the country who wished the Royal Couple a happy anniversary.
“The day is what we all, the Bhutanese people were looking forward too,” said the Labor Minister Dorji Wangdi.
National Council’s Chairperson Tshering Penjore said, “I always have good wishes for the royal couple and I always pray that the Royal Couple are able to guide the country with their wisdom and soul.”
National Council MP from Lhuentse Rinzin Rinzin said, “May they have the best marriage and be together forever. I always wish for their happiness when I say my evening prayers as the King and the Queen are like our Mother and Father.”
He said that even though he was out of station he would be celebrating the occasion.
The facebook fan page of His Majesty the King saw hundreds of happy anniversary wishes pouring in for the Royal Couple from not only Bhutan but also from across the world like Thailand, India, U.K, Spain, Greece, U.S.A etc.
A message posted on the fan page which said, “On the most joyous and auspicious occasion of the First Anniversary of the Royal Wedding on the 13th of October 2012, we offer our heartfelt felicitations to our beloved Druk Gyalpo and Druk Gyaltsuen,” immediately saw around 2,500 likes.
Meanwhile a 68 year old Tshering Dema who was not aware of the exact date of the anniversary wondered why people were busy with decorations.
She only later realized it has been a year since Royal Wedding. She said, “I would like to wish the Royal Couple good health and a long life”.
There was a strong sense of joy among ordinary citizens on the street that the paper talked too.
Tsencho Norbu a businessman said, “The Royal Couple is a blessing for the nation and me and my family would like to wish His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen a happy anniversary.”
Sonam Dema a housewife said that she and her family would celebrate the day by offering prayers for the Royal Couple in the altar or Choeshum at home, eating good food and then taking the family out for some entertainment.
With the Royal Wedding Anniversary also coinciding with Saturday which sees more nightclub activity bars and discos in the capital are expecting to do some thriving business.
Tandin Tshering an owner of a local bar said that he would be making extra snacks and stocking extra drinks for people celebrating.
Pem Chuki 36 said, “Bhutan would be nowhere without the Royal Couple. I will be offering special prayers so that this country can have a golden future under their benevolent reign.”
Rinchen a civil servant said that the country currently was facing some problems and ‘tensions’ but the Royal Wedding Anniversary would allow the citizens to relax and be happy again.
The Royal couple enjoys a special popularity among the youth.
“We have the worlds best looking Royal Couple who are very kind and caring,” said Thinley, 15.
“Me and my sister would like to wish the Royal Couple a very very happy anniversary and long life,” said Deki Yangzom 12.
Sherub Zangmo, a class V student from Jigme Losel Primary School said “Happy anniversary and Long live our King and Queen”.
Long Live The King and Queen 🙂
Happy 1st Anniversary
Long Live our King and Queen of Bhutan
On this joyous occasion, i would like to join the nation in wishing the Royal Couple- the Precious Jewel of Palden Drukpa – for everlasting love and wisdom. May the union be the beacon and source of goodness, truth, justice and equality as the nation strives towards happiness. Palden Drukpa Lhagello, long live the Druk Gyalpo and the Gyaltsuen.
May the light of happiness and bliss always shine on our most darling and beloved Royal Couple. Long live the Druk Gyalpo and the Gyaltsuen.
Monarchy is like insurance policy for us. If democracy fails, we can turn to our King. Long live our king and queen.